An uninspired win over Toledo did nothing to cool the pressure on Kentucky's head coach. Where does he stand on the Big Blue Hot Pepper Scale?
Last week, before the Toledo game, Mark Stoops sat on a 4-pepper scale out of five. Did he do anything to lower the heat? The short answer is no, not even a little bit. The offense produced the worst passing attack ever in a season opener under Mark Stoops, while the defense, though solid, showed potential holes that better teams could exploit.
his isn't just a reaction to one bad game; it's a response to a multi-year trend. After reaching program highs with 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021, the Wildcats have been treading water, going 7-6, 7-6, and a disastrous 4-8 2024 season, where Kentucky lost nearly all of its offensive production. They also watched their star recruiter jump ship to the biggest rival (with a very public “L” sign to show for it), the heat was already on Stoops before Week 1.
Stoops, however, stayed true to his blue-collar roots, vowing to work harder, instill discipline, and return to the gritty mindset that marked his better teams. The mantra was clear: “Motivated Mark Stoops”, a slogan that was either a rallying cry or a punchline, depending on your perspective.
This run accounted for nearly 1/4 of Kentucky's total offense. In fact Toledo out gained Kentucky. Offense has to be better than this. https://t.co/KHe4WGdYwH
— Wildcat Blue Nation (@WildcatBlueNatn) August 30, 2025
The Wildcats had a chance to make a statement against a solid Toledo team. Unfortunately, Kentucky did anything but. The passing game was nowhere to be found, with the 24-year-old transfer quarterback struggling to find any rhythm. The play calling did him no favors though. A lone 79-yard rushing play stood out, but beyond that, the offense was a mess. If not for a bad Toledo offensive line, Kentucky would be staring down an 0-1 start and a fanbase already checked out, if they weren't already. So, is it still four-alarm fire hot seat in Lexington?
The Big Blue Hot Pepper Scale
For those new to the scale, here's how we measure the heat:
- Bell Pepper (Cool and safe) 🌶️
- Jalapeño (Getting warm) 🌶️🌶️
- Cayenne (Serious pressure) 🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Scotch Bonnet (Dangerously hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Habanero (Seat is melting) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The massive contract buyout, which still sits north of $30 million, remains the primary reason the seat isn't already engulfed in flames. However, with every uninspired performance, the cost of keeping the status quo begins to feel just as high as the cost of making a change.
Stoops Seat-O-Meter: Week 2 Rating
Rating: Scotch Bonnet (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️)
A win is a win, so the needle doesn't move up. But if the offense lays another egg against Ole Miss next week, expect this rating to hit Habanero-level heat faster than you can say "fire Mark Stoops."
Jordan Owens is a contributor to Wildcat Blue Nation and a lifelong UK fanatic who has watched every UK game since 1995. Jordan is no stranger to college athletics as a former college athlete. Jordan brings a unique mix of fandom and insight that helps make WBN the go-to source for all of your Kentucky news.